Alpago Zoldana

From Alpago to Val Zoldana

TECHNICAL SHEET Clockwise direction - Length = about 54 Km - Elevation Gain/Drop = +850 m Min/Max elevation = 360 / 645 - Technical Difficulty = 3/7 - G.D. = 49 MEDIUM

NOTE 1) In addition to the parking at the start point of the track (Loc. Paludi, near Hotel Dante) there are 2 other possible parking areas (P1 and P2) in the town of Ponte delle Alpi.

NOTE 2) Upon reaching wp M at 610 m elevation, the route could be shortened by roughly 12 Km and 150 m elevation loss by skipping the section: Soffranco - Mezzocanale, where the old Trattoria da Ninetta is located, crossing directly the bridge over the Maè.

DESCRIPTION: From the parking near Hotel Dante, you first cross the SS 51 almost immediately and then climb on farm tracks and grassy traces the slopes south of Piaia. Once there, via a little-known path you descend to Lastreghe and then to the historic bridge over the Piave. You reach the western outskirts of Ponte Nelle Alpi (near parking wp P1) then descend to the floodplain of the Piave, following its course for a few kilometers. Reached the SS towards Belluno, cross it and arrive at Safforze, near an old villa. A recently built cycle-pedestrian path now allows easy access to Polpet; the road stays high and panoramic over the valley then turns north until reaching Pian di Vedoia.

For a long stretch, follow the old main road running alongside the railway to Calalzo until Fortogna; then turn uphill, skirting an industrial area and crossing the Desedan Torrent over a mostly dry gravel bed. Shortly after, having left the road to Pian Caiada on the left, continue to the village of Faè Alto. At the beginning of the village, turn right for a steep staircase (not rideable) that passes over the railway and leads after about 100 m to Faè Basso, near the well-known "4 Valli" restaurant. Going under the main road, continue a parallel stretch in the industrial zone (southern edge of Longarone). From wp K, ride a short section of SS (less than 500 m) then turn left towards Pirago.

NOTE: the crossing manoeuvre is not allowed here so you would have to stay on the SS until Longarone...

From Pirago, you approach the mountain on the left side of Val Zoldana (right orographic side of the Maè torrent); the road, with quite an irregular gradient, alternates paved sections with others of excellent dirt track surface. Arriving at wp M, you could shorten the route by descending to the Igne Bridge (see NOTE 2) but if there are no valid reasons to skip it, I recommend continuing; the valley is beautiful: from the woods you often come out into clearings offering panoramic views of the village of Igne and the peaks on the opposite side and you can also admire 2 remarkable waterfalls before crossing the village of Soffranco. Shortly after, a steep concrete ramp announces the maximum elevation point at 645. A short descent, a suspended bridge over the Maè and you will find yourself in front of the ancient Trattoria da Ninetta (which we do not hesitate to recommend for its excellent and renowned cuisine).

Rested and refreshed, retrace your steps to wp M where this time you descend to the left to the Igne Bridge. Suspended 100 m above the bottom of the Maè, it is quite impressive but stable enough and can be ridden without problems. After gaining the other bank, quickly travel 1 km on SS, until the entrance of a tunnel that is avoided by diverting right onto the old route. In Longarone, head to the left side of the Piave passing through Dogna and Provagna. In some stretches the asphalt is avoided by entering the pine forest which separates us from the Piave riverbed, then climb back to Soverzene. Now remains the suggestive section connecting to Paiane (in Alpago) squeezed between rock and the Piave with suspended walkways and tunnels (already described in route no. 247 Di qua e di là del Piave) and follows the Enel canal at a short distance until the locality Paludi. After crossing the industrial area, you find the SS 51 near Hotel Dante where the tour began.

How to reach the starting point

Exit the Belluno tollgate on A27, at the roundabout take right towards Treviso; after about 1.5 km you reach the industrial area (Loc. Paludi) where on the left there is the wide parking area, immediately before Hotel Dante. Coming from Alpago, from the junction 'La Secca', proceed on SS 51 for about 2.5 km towards Belluno to reach Hotel Dante (on the right).